13 Mar 2017
Together we can!
This year's theme at the Young Leaders Conference in Sydney has certainly encouraged us, as young leaders at Yanco Public School. At the Conference there were five, inspiring speakers who told their stories of how they came to be leaders in their fields. These role models spoke of the different challenges they faced and how they overcame them.
Sam Skinner, the head of Halogen Foundation that organises the annual conference spoke about the core values we have and how they shape us as leaders. Sometimes we have to sacrifice our beliefs in order to help others. "Everyone in this room is a leader, but everyone has different ways of being a good leader."
The second speaker, Sam Webb, who is the founder of ‘Livin', spoke about ‘Patience, Positivity & Perseverance'. He lost a close friend to suicide and realised when we say, "We're fine" it really means "Help me".
"Bravery over perfection" was the motivation for 15 year old Jade Hameister, to be the youngest person to ski to the North Pole. She now plans to ski across Antarctica and Greenland. Jade told us how we often let fear get in the way and that we need to be brave and not let it conquer us and our dreams.
Dr Jordan Nguyen was one of our personal favourites who is using technology to improve the lives of others. He had a diving accident that left him paralysed for one whole day. During his stay in hospital he had time to look at things from a different perspective after he met a disabled lady who is now his friend. Jess suffers from severe cerebral palsy but runs her own company, is a skilled photographer and inspires his work. He has created a wheelchair that picks up brainwaves so you can control the chair even if you are so disabled that you have little or no mobility.
Another one of his technological inventions was featured on ABC showing Riley. Riley has severe disability, but could drive a car that is controlled by his eyes. Dr Jordan believes we can create a better world and that technology helps improve the life of others.
Finally the two comperes, Scott Tweedie & Gemma Knight, interviewed Barry Conrad who sings and acts. Barry spoke about when he was bullied, advice given to him when on the X-Factor and the importance of being the better version of yourself. He urged leaders to use their position to help others to reach leadership level. He reminded us it's ok to make mistakes and we need to dig deep and move forward.
It was an amazing experience and we rate it 11/10.
We made new friends with students from Leeton and Whitton Murrami Public Schools, experienced lots of public transport and learnt not to stand on the outside deck of the ferry during big swells. We made a big splash with the Friday evening commuters! Thanks to the teachers, Mr Allen, Mr Adams and Mrs Ramponi who took us on this adventure (peak hour traffic included!).